SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Spanish Fort Middle School honored its eighth-grade standouts Tuesday during its annual Honors Day reception, applauding the achievements of all 245 students in the class.

“The strength of this eighth-grade class is in the variety of their personalities and talents. They will go on to the high school and have a successful educational career,” said eighth-grade English and language arts teacher Jacque Helms.

Among the honorees, 35 students received “Character Awards,” considered by Principal Craig Ross as “one of the most prestigious” honors presented during the ceremony.

“This award is presented annually to a group of students selected by faculty and staff for their exemplary behavior, citizenship and leadership,” Ross said.

Character Award recipients included:

• Connor Adams
•  Kaylan Alday
•  Mia Barraza
•  Nathan Bartz
•  Sarah Brown
•  Madison Calloway
•  Erica Cockrell
•  Christina Egbert
•  Jessie Filgo
•  Erin Gentry
•  Drew Harper
•  Beau Harrison
•  Mark Helms
•  Kyle Jones
•  Danielle Jordan
•  Samantha Keevan
•  Anna Kirkham
•  Jessica Kiser
•  Trinity LaGreca
•  Joshua Lim
•  Henley Manders
•  Christopher Menas
•  Savannah Middleton
•  Alex Norman
•  Jamey Pezent
•  Will Redden
•  Audrey Rushan
•  Sarah Frances Shirley
•  Megan Tidwell
•  Neil Unger
•  Anne Chason Wachter
•  Sonny Walton
•  Caroline Whaley
•  Cole Whaley
•  Leah White

Although each eighth-grader was recognized during the program, several categories singled out exceptional accomplishments, including the following accolades:

•  Jamey Pezent and Sarah Frances Shirley were honored for “Most Outstanding Academic Performance. This award is presented each year to the male and female students earning the highest overall academic grade-point averages.
•  Joshua Lim, Jamey Pezent and Sarah Frances Shirley received “Most Outstanding Student” awards in language arts.
•  Justin Austin, Emma Smith and Kaylee Stephens received “Most Outstanding Student” awards in pre-algebra.
•  Beau Harrison and Neil Unger received “Most Outstanding Student” awards in algebra.
•  Beau Harrison, Jamey Pezent received “Most Outstanding Student” awards in science.
•  Drew Harper received  the “Most Outstanding Student” award in world history.
•  Jamey Pezent received  the “Most Outstanding Student” award in gifted world history.
•  Kristian Cotton was named “Male Athlete of the Year.”
•  Riley Uhle was named “Female Athlete of the Year.”
•  Cole Whaley was named “Male Academic Athlete of the Year.”
•  Kennedy Adcock was named “Female Academic Athlete of the Year.”

 The following 12 members of the All-County football team were recognized: JD Campbell, Jacob Clark, Kristian Cotton, Deonte Cyprian, Taylor Dupuis, Creighton Hoercher, Harrison Holbein, Sam Howard, Trevor Jennings, Tyler Johnston, Jamey Pezent and Keion White.

 The following six members of the All-County cross-country team were recognized: Nathan Bartz, Sarah Carrico, Samantha Delgado, Jacob Hanke, Reece Stevens and Cole Whaley.

 The following four members of the All-County volleyball team were recognized: Mia Barazza, Suzanne Evans, Riley Uhle and Claire Wilson.

 The following three members of the All-County cheerleading squad: Erica Cockrell, Regan Sims and Caroline Whaley.

 Trent Strickland and Claire Wilson were recognized as members of the All-County basketball team.

 The following six members of the All-County soccer team were recognized: Madison Diring, Ashley Elkins, Lyndsey Hrabovsky, Ellie Knight, Luis Rangel and Cole Whaley.

 The following seven members of the All-County track team were recognized: JD Campbell, Kristian Cotton, Jacob Hanke, Steely Holmes, Tyler Johnston, Trevor Jennings and Cole Whaley.